CountyScore

Howard County

Missouri · MO

#22 in Missouri
72.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Howard County, Missouri

Howard County outpaces national median

Howard County's composite score of 73.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 46%, marking it as more livable than the typical U.S. county. This performance reflects manageable taxes and housing costs despite higher incomes.

Slightly below Missouri average

Howard County scores 73.1 compared to Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it just below the statewide midline. Several neighboring counties edge ahead, though the difference is minimal.

Highest incomes, reasonable costs

Howard County leads with an income score of 24.3 and median household income of $62,628—the highest in this group. Despite moderately higher housing costs (median home value $145,300, monthly rent $807), the county maintains a respectable cost score of 81.8.

Taxes nudge higher, data gaps loom

The effective tax rate of 0.869% is among the higher in this county set, reflected in a tax score of 77.8. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data remain unavailable for informed decision-making.

Best for higher-earning households

Howard County appeals to working professionals and dual-income families comfortable with moderately higher tax burdens in exchange for better income potential. The 73.1 score suggests a prosperous, stable small-town environment for those with solid earning power.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax77.8Cost81.8SafetyComing SoonHealth67.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.3Risk86.2WaterComing Soon
🏛77.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Howard County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Henry County
Alabama
72.9
Median income: $60,135
Jackson County
Colorado
72.9
Median income: $41,809
Kit Carson County
Colorado
72.9
Median income: $59,810
Baker County
Georgia
72.9
Median income: $44,405
Clearwater County
Idaho
72.9
Median income: $57,961

Deep Dives

Howard County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Howard County

via TaxByCounty

Howard County taxes run above median

At 0.869%, Howard County's effective rate exceeds the national median of 0.94% slightly, placing it near the 55th percentile nationally. Residents pay $1,262 annually on a median home valued at $145,300—less than half the national median tax of $2,690.

Among Missouri's higher-taxing counties

Howard County's 0.869% effective rate stands well above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's 114 counties. The median tax of $1,262 also exceeds the state median of $1,199 despite slightly lower home values.

Highest-taxing peer in region

Howard County's 0.869% rate exceeds neighboring Henry County (0.801%), Harrison County (0.824%), and Holt County (0.773%), making it the highest-taxing county among this central Missouri cluster. Only Jackson County's 1.148% surpasses Howard's burden in this comparison group.

What Howard County homeowners pay

On Howard's median home value of $145,300, the effective rate of 0.869% produces an annual tax of approximately $1,262, or about $105 per month. With mortgage assessments factored in, the bill can rise to roughly $1,388 yearly.

Challenge inflated assessments

Howard County residents facing above-average tax rates should verify their property assessment against recent comparable sales. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to similar neighborhood properties, filing an appeal could reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Howard County

via CostByCounty

Howard balances income and housing

Howard County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% sits just below Missouri's state average of 15.6%, indicating solid affordability for renters. With median household income of $62,628 and monthly rents of $807, housing costs consume a manageable slice of earnings.

Slightly better than state average

At 15.5%, Howard County nearly matches Missouri's 15.6% state benchmark, positioning it among the more livable counties statewide. This stability reflects both reasonable rents and above-average household incomes supporting the local housing market.

Premium pricing, solid income support

Howard County's $807 rent runs higher than Harrison ($666), Henry ($740), and Holt ($702), reflecting stronger local demand and prosperity. Its median home value of $145,300 and household income of $62,628 support these higher housing costs better than most regional peers.

Higher costs, higher incomes

Renters pay $807 monthly while owners invest $798 against a solid median household income of $62,628. This means renters dedicate 15.5% of earnings to housing, while owners commit about 15.3%—both sustainable for households with steady employment.

Howard rewards higher earners

Consider Howard County if you're relocating with above-average income—your earnings will stretch comfortably across local housing costs and community amenities. The county's stronger economic profile means better schools, services, and long-term home value appreciation potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Howard County

via IncomeByCounty

Howard County closes the income gap

Howard County's median household income of $62,628 narrows the distance to the national median of $74,755 to 16.2%, reflecting stronger economic fundamentals. This positions Howard among the more prosperous counties in rural Missouri.

Above state average

At $62,628, Howard County exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 5.2%, indicating economic performance above typical state conditions. The county ranks in the upper half of Missouri's 115 counties.

Third strongest in the region

Howard County's $62,628 income ranks third among these eight counties, surpassed only by Jackson County ($67,178). The county outpaces Henry ($56,621), Holt ($58,516), and all other peer counties.

Balanced housing affordability

Howard County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% remains comfortably within the healthy zone. The median home value of $145,300 aligns well with local earning capacity.

Strengthen financial foundation

Howard County's per capita income of $30,241 and solid affordability metrics support active wealth-building. Households should prioritize retirement savings, diversified investments, and home equity growth to accelerate financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Howard County

via HealthByCounty

Howard County above national average

At 76.1 years, Howard County residents live slightly below the U.S. average of 76.4 years by just 0.3 years. The 19.5% poor/fair health rate is better than the national average of roughly 21%.

Slightly above Missouri average

Howard County's 76.1-year life expectancy exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.3 years by 1.8 years. Its 10.6% uninsured rate is notably better than the state average of 12.5%.

Mid-range health outcomes regionally

Howard County's life expectancy of 76.1 years sits between Holt County's strong 78.2 years and Hickory County's lower 73.1 years. Its 39 primary care providers per 100K offers moderate access compared to peers.

Balanced coverage and provider access

At 10.6% uninsured, Howard County residents are well-covered relative to state averages. Primary care availability at 39 per 100K and mental health providers at 79 per 100K provide reasonable access to care.

Protect your health coverage now

Howard County's strong insurance rate shows community commitment to care. If you're among the 10.6% without coverage, visit healthcare.gov today to find an affordable plan.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Howard County

via RiskByCounty

Howard County among nation's safest

Howard County's composite risk score of 13.80 earns the Very Low rating and sits far below national averages. Your county represents some of the lowest natural disaster risk in the entire United States.

Missouri's premier low-risk location

At 13.80, Howard County scores just 27% of Missouri's average risk score of 50.56. You live in the state's safest tier for natural disaster exposure, with minimal hazard exposure across the board.

Safest in central Missouri region

Howard County's 13.80 score is lower than all nearby counties, including Hickory County (23.47) and Harrison County (29.33). Your county consistently ranks as the region's safest option for disaster risk.

Tornado and earthquake low-level concerns

Tornado risk reaches 44.62 and earthquake risk 40.71—modest by national standards but Howard County's highest-scoring hazards. All other risks, including flood (23.22), wildfire (31.87), and hurricane (10.10), remain very low.

Minimal insurance adjustments needed

Standard homeowner's insurance provides ample protection in Howard County's exceptionally safe environment. A basic emergency kit and tornado awareness satisfy preparedness requirements for most residents in this low-risk county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.